There are simple, healthy snacks that smell of home, slow afternoons and hands that slice with patience. Air fryer apple chips were born just like that: from two apples and the desire to prepare something genuine, light and fragrant, almost an apple dessert, but without the guilt.
The apples dried in the air fryer are a small discovery: you don’t need to keep the oven on for hours, nor special tools. You only need very thin slices and a few minutes of cooking to obtain homemade, crunchy, light and naturally sweet apples. Perfect to serve as a vegan and vegetarian snack suitable for the whole family, just like the oven-baked kale chips, they are ideal for anyone looking for a simple alternative to packaged snacks, or for those who want something tasty without the guilt.
If you’re wondering how to dry apples in the air fryer, know that it’s easier than you think: a moderate temperature, a few minutes and the cooling time will do the rest, making them even more fragrant.
These light apple chips are also perfect for enriching yogurt, decorating an apple cake or completing a spoon dessert with a crunchy note that smells of fruit and simplicity.
An old little gesture, reinterpreted with a modern tool, to bring to the table something made with care and attention. Are you ready to discover how to make delicious apple chips? Let’s run to the kitchen, but first I remind you to check my Facebook page and my Instagram profile to stay updated on all new recipes.
Also take a look at these delicious apple recipes:
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Very inexpensive
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 2
- Cooking methods: Air frying
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All seasons
Ingredients to make apple chips in the air fryer
- 2 apples (green or red)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon sugar
Tools to make apples dried in the air fryer
- Air fryer
- Mandoline slicer
- Bowl
Steps to make apples dried in the air fryer
To make crunchy apples dried in the air fryer, wash the apples under running water and dry them carefully, without peeling. Remove the core using an apple corer, keeping the apple whole and making a regular central hole (alternatively, you can remove it after slicing using a small round cutter or the cap of a plastic bottle).
Slice the apple into thin rounds, trying to get slices of the same thickness so the cooking is even; if you can’t do it freehand, use a mandoline.
Collect the slices in a bowl and sprinkle them with lemon juice, distributing it well to prevent browning. Dust with a little sugar (if you wish), mixing gently to coat all the rounds evenly.
Arrange the slices in the air fryer basket, placing them on the rack without overlapping, leaving space between each and placing something on top to hold them in place so they don’t move in the fryer (I used metal straws, but cutlery would also work).
Cook them at 352°F for about 10 minutes, turning them halfway through cooking so they dry evenly. Then continue cooking for another 8-10 minutes at 212°F.
Let them cool completely before serving: they will become even crisper as they cool.If you can’t dry all the apples at once, proceed in two batches.
Be careful not to burn the apples. If they darken a bit it’s not a problem—they may become even crispier—but take care not to overdo it.
Storage notes and tips
Air fryer apple chips keep perfectly for 4–5 days provided they are completely cool before storing. Put them in a glass jar with an airtight lid or in a well-sealed container, away from humidity and heat sources. Humidity is their only enemy: if they lose crispness, just put them back in the air fryer for 2–3 minutes at 248°F to make them crunchy again.
To get truly crunchy apples dried in the air fryer, it is essential to cut the slices paper-thin and all the same thickness. The more uniform they are, the more even the cooking will be.
If you want light, natural apple chips, you can skip the sugar: apples, especially if ripe, are already sweet. For a fragrant variant, you can add a pinch of cinnamon before cooking.
These homemade crunchy apples are perfect as a healthy apple snack, ideal for an afternoon snack, to enrich your morning yogurt or to decorate an apple cake with a rustic, genuine touch.
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FAQ (Questions and Answers)
Do air fryer apple chips really become crunchy?
Yes, they become crunchy especially after they have completely cooled. Right out of the fryer they may still seem soft, but once cooled they will reach the right texture.
Can apple chips be made without sugar?
Of course. Apples are naturally sweet, especially if very ripe. Omitting the sugar will give you lighter, more natural apple chips.
Which apples are best for air fryer chips?
Firm and slightly tart apples are ideal, as they hold up better during cooking and become crisper once dried.
Are apple chips a healthy snack?
Yes, they are a healthy apple snack, light and not fried, perfect for a simple snack or to accompany yogurt and desserts.
